In Pursuit Of Freedom-A Comparative Study Of Freedom Between Matthew Arnold And Confucius

Freedom is a topic that makes people desired but also discouraged.In spite of its diverse and varied definitions,it is clear to see the connection with cultural traditions.The concept of freedom,as the core content of cultural values,is an important manifestation of national culture to promote its development.From this prospective,this paper focuses on the concepts of freedom and its comparison and contrast between two cultural anthropologists — — Confucius and Arnold,who live two millenniums apart.The astonishing thing is that they demonstrate striking similarities in many respects.Both of them stand on the opposite side of instrumental reason and “freedom for freedom's sake”.In addition,great importance is attached to the spontaneity of consciousness and intellectual impulses.Besides,they emphasize integrality,advocating the doctrine of the mean and moderate principles.Though there are some resemblances in their concepts of freedom,they do not share homogeneity.On the contrary,huge discrepancies exist between them in the nature,origin and method of achieving it.Confucius believes that freedom originates from people's daily lives which exists in their hearts,and also emphasizes human sociality,calling for “rule by virtue”.But Arnold insists that freedom comes from God and stresses individuality which should be guaranteed by external contracts,norms as well as judicial organs.As for its practical approaches,Confucius proposes the unity of man and nature,and suggests that people achieve positive freedom through knowledgeable and moral education.However,Arnold holds that man and nature are opposite.By learning Hellenism and Hebraism,people can realize negative freedom,among whom the talented are responsible to solve cultural crisis.Through the comparative study of their concepts of freedom,people can grasp the connotation and essence of it and find out differences between Chinese and Western cultures.Besides,nowadays China is in the transitional period,and how to develop culture is an urgent problem to be solved.Through the analysis of the Spring and Autumn Period and Western industrial society in the process of socialtransformation,the importance of freedom in social development is further clarified,which has positive impacts on the cultural development of contemporary China.